Pesto al Trapanese

One of the most popular dishes of Trapani (western Sicily) is Pesto al Trapanese. It is not the traditional basil-based pesto we often think of. Instead, it is a harmonious mix of tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and almonds and it is to die for!!! I had the good fortune of learning how to make this simple but delicious dish in the home of a Trapenese couple. I hope you will try this in your kitchen as well!

Start with Datterino tomatoes- similar to grape tomatoes but in the size and shape of dates. These are the sweetest "tomato candy" I have ever tasted!

With a mortar and pestle grind together fresh garlic (1 clove per person with the core removed- it's bitter) and salt. Add chopped almonds and grind. Then add a large handful of fresh basil leaves and grind. Finally add 1/4 of the total tomatoes you will use and grind into a "paste". 

This is the "paste", also known as the "mother". It is like bruschetta soup!  To this mother, you will add the remaining tomatoes (quartered), Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then some fresh chopped basil. Set it aside. 

To make the pasta... This handmade pasta is called Gnoccoli. Add together flour and water until it is not sticky (no eggs). Let rest 30 minutes and then roll into cylinders that are approximately 3 in long. 

 With your fingertips, press into the cylinder, leaving indentations.

Then roll gently so it looks like above! Place on a floured sheet to hold. Fresh pasta only takes a few minutes to cook. You will know they are ready when they rise to the top of the boiling salted water. 

When pasta is finished cooking, drain and add to tomato "pesto". Toss all together and serve immediately. The pesto is heated by the addition of the cooked pasta. Top with fresh parmigiano or in this case, caciocavallo (semi-dry Sicilian goat cheese). 

Traditionally this dish is served with Busiata pasta, the pasta of Trapani. And a glass of Nero d'Avola red wine is a wonderful pair!

SO let's review the ingredients:

Garlic cloves (center core removed)

Fresh, fragrant Basil

Sweet Tomatoes

Sea Salt

Almonds

High quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil

How could you go wrong?!?!